AN EX-SOLDIER whose life has been shattered by two tragedies is set to tackle a major endurance challenge.
Neil Hughes had to have his left leg amputated after being horribly injured whilst avoiding a gunman.
And his hopes of competing in the London Paralympic Games last summer were cruelly dashed when he suffered a brain haemorrhage just weeks in advance.
But courageous Mr Hughes, a 42-year-old former Welsh Guard, is battling back.
On July 27 he will embark on a 50-mile kayak expedition at Mercers Lake in Merstham.
Mr Hughes, who lived in Coldstream Road, Caterham, for 18 years until moving to south Wales last year, explained: "This is a big challenge, but I have already had to come through some much bigger challenges in my life.
"I was on patrol in Northern Ireland in 1994 when we were shot at by a sniper.
"I jumped over a four feet wall to escape – but unfortunately there was a 12 foot drop on the other side. My leg was totally shattered."
At the time, he said, it was an "absolute nightmare".
"I was devastated by the accident," he said.
"I was really fit but after the accident I lost all motivation - at one stage my weight ballooned to 24 stone."
After undergoing 26 operations on the leg over a decade, he eventually had to be fitted with a prosthetic limb.
But he says sporting challenges have helped get him out of depression and given him goals in life.
A regular in recent years with the Disability Wales rowing team, Mr Hughes hoped to clinch a place in the Great Britain sitting volleyball squad in the Paralympics.
But he suffered a brain haemorrhage just two months before the games, scuppering his hopes. He said: "Doctors said I would be unable to do anything for the next three months.
"But within a couple of weeks my determination got me back on a rowing machine.
"And last June, I was in a kayak which took part in the Thames pageant as part of The Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations."
Proceeds from the kayak marathon will go to the British Limbless Ex-Service Men's Association and also Caterham-based community radio station Ridge Radio.
Mark Jones, the radio station's founder, said: "It's fantastic how he fought back from adversity."
Donations can be made via the donate now button at www.ridgeradio.co.uk
